Warner Bros. Hi-Def DVDs To Be Blu-Ray Only
Warner Bros. Entertainment announced on Friday that they will be releasing their high-definition DVDs only in the Blu-ray disc format. This move only makes it more complicated for consumers who are trying to make the transition from regular to HD DVDs. I personally have stuck my good ol’ DVDs since this is quickly turning into the BETA vs. VCR war and the people who picked BETA was left with a bunch of useless movies. I definitely don’t want to be in that group.
Up until now, WB had been releasing high-definition DVDs in both formats. Hollywood studios have been split on which of the two formats to back. WB says that they based their decision on the fact that consumers have shown a stronger preference for the Blu-ray format.
"The window of opportunity for high-definition DVD could be missed if format confusion continues to linger," Barry Meyer, Warner Bros.’ chairman and chief executive, said in a statement. "We believe that exclusively distributing in Blu-ray will further the potential for mass market success and ultimately benefit retailers, producers and, most importantly, consumers," the statement said.
Walt Disney Studios, Sony Pictures, 20th Century Fox and MGM has also decided to go with Blu-ray technology while Paramount Pictures dropped its support for Blu-ray and said it would start distributing films exclusively in the HD DVD format.
I’ve got a headache after reading this. What a nightmare.
Related Stories
POSTED IN: DVD Talk, DVD News, Film Industry
3 opinions for Warner Bros. Hi-Def DVDs To Be Blu-Ray Only
Lauren
Jan 5, 2008 at 8:41 am
I think it’s a big mistake on their part. Not everyone has or can afford a Blu ray machine.
Jeanne
Jan 5, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Yeah, I’m not terribly impressed with this either…
theunrulyone
Jan 6, 2008 at 6:39 pm
This is just another example of larger companies controlling a market. Now that WB has done this, it is only feasible to think that others will follow suit and suddenly Blu-ray will be the only game in town. Thereby ensuring that if you want HD DVDs then you better invest in a Blu-Ray player. I wonder if there were some shady behind the scenes dealings with Sony going on before they came to this decision.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: